The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 290

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 290: New Friend**

**Judy’s POV**

The evening unfolded gently, wrapping around us like a soft blanket as we gathered in the dining hall for dinner. I had already informed the kitchen staff and Harper that on the days when Gavin was absent, I preferred to have my meals in the kitchen. They seemed to grasp my request without any trouble; everyone I encountered here had been exceptionally kind, their warmth making me feel a little more at home.

The aroma wafting from the kitchen was heavenly, and as I glanced over at Gavin, who was meticulously cutting into his steak, I felt a flutter in my stomach. Our eyes met, and at that moment, I could see the corners of his lips twitching, a sign that he was trying to suppress a smile.

“I need to talk to you about something,” I said quickly, setting my fork down with a slight clatter that echoed in the otherwise serene room.

“Go on,” he replied, raising an eyebrow, his expression a mix of curiosity and amusement. I could tell he was attempting to keep a straight face, but the twitch in his lips betrayed him.

“I need my best friend,” I blurted out, the words tumbling from my lips before I could stop them. “I need someone I can confide in about everything that’s been happening in my life. Lying to her about my situation is driving me crazy. She’s going to ask questions when she realizes I’m no longer at the Cash family manor, and I want to tell her the whole truth about… well… this,” I said, gesturing between him and me, then sweeping my hand to encompass the grandeur of the mansion around us.

He scrutinized me for a moment that felt like an eternity, his gaze searching my face. I held my breath, a knot tightening in my stomach as I braced myself for his response. What if he refused? The thought of continuing to lie to Nan made my heart sink.

Finally, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence and snapping my attention back to him. “Is it that girl who works at the Carter resort?” he asked, his tone suddenly serious.

His question caught me off guard, and a wave of unexpected jealousy surged through me. I swallowed hard, forcing it down as I nodded. “Yes,” I confirmed, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “Nan. We grew up together, and we share everything. She’s my best friend.”

He continued to study me, the air thick with unspoken words as I fidgeted in my seat, feeling increasingly uneasy under his scrutiny.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally nodded, his expression softening. “Okay.”

I blinked, surprised by his response, watching as he picked up his fork and resumed eating as if our conversation had never happened.

“Okay?” I echoed, seeking clarity, my heart racing with anticipation.

“Hmmm,” he replied nonchalantly, not giving me much to work with.

“Can I tell her?” I pressed, desperately wanting more than his vague acknowledgment. He glanced at me again, and I noticed the corner of his lip twitching once more; it was clear he found my anxiety amusing, enjoying the power he held in this moment.

“Yes,” he said simply.

A wave of excitement surged through me, filling the void of uncertainty. I couldn’t wait to call Nan first thing in the morning, to invite her for lunch so we could talk freely. I wanted to leap across the table and plant a kiss on his cheek, but just then, one of the kitchen aides entered, bustling about to clean the remnants of our meal.

I had hoped Gavin would stay the night with me, but he had to return to his villa. I understood; his children were waiting for him. Still, that didn’t stop him from leaving me breathless one last time before he departed.

I drifted off to sleep before he officially left, the warmth of his presence still lingering in the air. When I awoke the next morning, a profound sense of loneliness enveloped me. The spot beside me was cold, a stark reminder of his absence, and I felt an emptiness in my chest. Sighing softly, I climbed out of bed, the sun beginning to rise in the distance. A smile crept across my face as I watched the vibrant colors spread across the Silver Crescent pack, a beautiful canvas that momentarily lifted my spirits.

I made my way to the bathroom, where I indulged in the luxurious whirlpool tub. It was an experience unlike any other, a mini oasis that melted away my stress. By the time I emerged, my body felt like jelly, and my mind was blissfully at ease. I had never felt so relaxed in my life.

To my surprise, breakfast was already prepared when I entered the kitchen.

“Good morning, ma’am,” the head chef greeted me with a warm smile. “Breakfast is ready for you.”

“You can call me Judy,” I replied, eager to establish a more personal connection.

“Then you can call me Chester,” he responded, his smile widening.

Chester appeared to be in his late thirties, and I couldn’t help but notice that he wasn’t hard on the eyes. The female kitchen staff seemed to share my thoughts, blushing whenever he addressed them. I wondered if they were new, as they seemed a bit shy around him.

“It’s nice to officially meet you, Chester,” I said, grabbing a fork from the silverware dish.

I took a bite of the eggs, and a smile spread across my face at the delicious flavor.

“This is really good,” I complimented him, genuinely impressed.

I sighed, realizing I wouldn’t win this battle, and eventually relented.

Later in the morning, once it was a reasonable hour, I picked up my phone and called Nan. I told her I needed to talk about something important, and we agreed to meet at our favorite coffee house near the campus. When I arrived, the moment she spotted me, her face lit up with a radiant smile as she rushed over to embrace me.

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages,” she murmured, pulling back to look at me.

“It’s only been a couple of days,” I chuckled, feeling the warmth of her affection.

“They’ve been keeping you so busy that I couldn’t even get through to your phone,” she replied, a hint of concern in her voice.

She was partly right; my phone had died a couple of days ago because my room didn’t have a place to charge it. It only turned on again when I arrived at the mansion, and I was grateful that Taylor had the foresight to plug it in for me.

“I’m sorry I haven’t called,” I said, my voice sincere. “There’s a reason for that.”

“You look a lot better,” she observed, her tone affectionate.

I nodded, biting my lower lip as I felt a rush of emotion. “I feel a lot better, Nan,” I confessed, the weight of my worries lifting slightly.

We ordered our coffees and settled into a cozy corner of the café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee surrounding us like a warm hug.

“So, tell me what’s been going on with you,” she urged, taking a sip of her espresso, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Okay… so, I don’t want you to freak out,” I said cautiously, watching her expression closely as I prepared to share my news.

She frowned, her brows knitting together as she met my gaze. “You’re starting to freak me out,” she replied, her tone teasing yet serious.

I took a deep breath, feeling as though I was about to rip off a band-aid. “I moved in with Gavin Landry.”